This article forms part of a series of publications under MEDUSA project’s “Mediterranean sub-grant Adventure Tourism Competition” which aims at catalyzing the creation of new innovative adventure tourism products and experiences and upgrading existing products in our partner territories Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Puglia (Italy) and Catalonia (Spain).

Enjoy reading and hope to welcome you soon at one of the wonderful places you will get to know here.

Cezars Projects, introduced paragliding to the Shouf area as part of the authentic experience they provide visitors through eco-tourism and adventure tourism services, simultaneously involving the local community, preserving cultural and natural heritage, spreading awareness and building strong partnerships with different cooperatives to ensure sustainability. Located southeast of Beirut, the region comprises a narrow coastal strip, notable for the town of Damour and the valleys and mountains of the western slopes of Al-Barouk Mountain. Shouf is an existing testimony to the harmony between the different sects present in Lebanon. Its nature has been generally spared from the severe building trend.

The René Moawad Foundation, MEDUSA project’s partner in Lebanon, awarded Cezars Projects, the MEDUSA sub-grant.   With the help of the MEDUSA Sub-Grant, Cezars Project hopes to promote adventure tourism in Shouf region (Mount Lebanon), where there is a shortage of activities. The owner of Cezars Projects, Cezar Mahmoud, spoke in depth about the next steps.

The history of Cezars Project and what the project wishes to promote through the MEDUSA sub-grant?

Cezars Project started as a guesthouse on Airbnb, amongst the first in the Shouf region, which hosted guests from all over the world who shared their culture, food and experiences with the local community. Thanks to the success of the guesthouse, Mahmoud decided to shift towards agri-toursim with his project Farmville Barouk, designed to function around a farming lifestyle where the visitors can pick their own vegetables and fruits from the organic field, feed the animals, collect eggs. Today, and with the MEDUSA sub-grant, Cezars Project wishes to shift into Adventure Tourism, by introducing paragliding to the Shouf area.

What were Cezars Project objectives in the MEDUSA sub-grant?

“It is a big project, and we couldn’t have done it without the help of the Rene Moawad Foundation and the MEDUSA project” says Mahmoud. The project involves introducing a new activity to the Shouf area, paragliding in addition to training the locals to become qualified pilots in order to create job opportunities in the region. This project will be part of a touristic ecosystem in Shouf area – “when the tourists visit the Shouf area, they now have a plethora of activities to choose from, such as hiking, paragliding and guesthouses, which opens the door to a new market and creates many job opportunities in the region."

How did MEDUSA project and the Rene Moawad Foundation contribute to the development of the project?

The help of the Rene Moawad Foundation through MEDUSA project was essential to the success of the project. Not only, did they provide funding but essential training. In addition, a team member from Cezars Project participated in the Study Tour in Puglia, Italy with the implementing partners which included site visits, workshops and presentations that were very educational and helpful. “Last but not least, the Rene Moawad Foundation helped us with exposure by promoting the inauguration of the project which attracted visitors from all over Lebanon to celebrate this event.”

The future of Adventure Tourism in Lebanon?

“From our experience with the visitors, we realized that everyone is coming towards the rural regions as they are more affordable and they give them an opportunity to live a rich experience. Adventure tourism is affordable and is strongly related to the people and provides them with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There is a big potential for Adventure tourism in Lebanon and its future is bright!”